Some of you are planning to travel soon. It may be to Chile, Costa Rica, or Cancún, but what’s for certain is it’s going to be a lot of fun and you’re going to learn a lot of Spanish.

But there’s another thing for certain.

You’ll take a lot of things with you, only to cart them back home unused.

At least that’s what usually happens to me.

A friend of a friend visited not long ago and exemplified this. She only had two suitcases, but they were the big ones. And stuffed full of all the necessities of life, which we can get by without, and even are often happier without.

I am committed to taking only One Bag next time I travel.

If I take more clothes than I end up using, I’m peeved with myself. But if I didn’t bring something that I did need, it’s an opportunity to buy something new, maybe even something representative of the area I’m visiting.

I don’t need any valuable jewelry.

I don’t need any books to read. I want to do things, not sit in a hotel and read, I can do that at home. Ok, maybe I’ll take one small dictionary.

I don’t need the iPod, mini television set, or other electronic wizardry. One camera for a few tasteful shots is a go.

I’ll leave the blowdryer, travel iron, six pairs of shoes, and de-linter home.

What I will bring is the tried and trusted gear that I will use every day. If I forget something, I can buy it along the way.

What do you stand to gain by bringing only One Bag?

• One Bag is more mobile. You can grab it and be on your way in a lot less time than someone with three bags.
• One Bag is more secure. You can keep an eye on it or take it with you easier. It is also a lot less pretentious and doesn’t call attention to itself.
• One Bag will bring you peace of mind. Since you don’t have all your possesions with you, you aren’t worried about losing everything. With One Bag, it’s less likely that you lose it.
• One Bag is more economical. You don’t have to pay to transport, load, unload, store, clean, and insure so many belongings.

What to put in your One Bag?

If you want some help deciding what to put in your bag, try the Universal Packing List. You tell this online utility when and where you’re travelling, what you’ll be doing, and a lot of other information, and it spits out a detailed list of suggested items for you to take. It’s really quite interesting. If you want some more coaching, there’s a site called One Bag that teaches you everything you need to know about the art and science of traveling light.

Whatever you decide to bring with you, consider if you can get by with One Bag. I’m convinced you’ll the happier for it.

I’ll close with this saying that Sosia found for me:

En un largo camino, hasta una paja pesa (on a long journey, even a straw is heavy)

25 August 2007 9:01 am
Cats: Travel/Places
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